Loughborough University London to contribute to project that aims to double female and BAME founders by 2020

Loughborough University London is to study the effectiveness of a recently-launched initiative that aims to provide female entrepreneurs, and those from some of capital’s most under-represented communities, with the opportunity to start and scale a high growth tech business.

Earlier this week (19 June), Capital Enterprise announced the launch of a new Diversity in Tech programme, supported by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, that looks to double the number of female and BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) founders accessing investment by 2020.

In 2017, a Beauhurst report revealed that 91% of all venture capital investment in the UK goes to startups and scale-ups with all-male founding teams. Women and BAME founders including those that live, work and study in the east London boroughs, where London Tech startups cluster, are missing out.

The Capital Enterprise-led partnership will connect founders with mentors and help them access opportunities in London’s world-class tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.

It will work with over 50 venture capital groups, business angel groups and London’s leading tech accelerators to achieve the initiative’s ambitious targets which include raising $20m of investment and creating 300 tech jobs.

The project will help partners better understand why diversity makes sense; what needs to be done to increase their investment in female and BAME led tech startups; and how to make simple changes to help diversify their recruitment and selection processes.

The consortium will set out to address the lack of diversity in London’s tech startups and the community of investors, accelerators and incubators that support them.

Loughborough University London is contributing to the project by conducting a longitudinal study that will assess the impact of some of the Diversity in Tech activities.

The research is being led by Dr Angela Martinez Dy, lecturer in Entrepreneurship, with support from Associate Dean for Enterprise Professor Mikko Koria and wider members of the Loughborough University London community.

It is envisaged that the study will last three years and will scrutinise the effectiveness of the activities delivered as part of the programme.

The research will also provide lessons learnt for the programme leading to the development of a toolkit for the sector to support future strategies.

Dean of Loughborough University London Professor Mike Caine commented: “The London tech sector is the strongest in Europe, bristling with innovation and energy. To stay on top it needs to continue to attract talent.

“We, at Loughborough University London, are proud of the diverse community we are part of in east London. We are pleased to be sharing our expertise with those in the London tech sector and are looking forward to contributing to its future success.”

Image courtesy of @moyesa.

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 6th in the Guardian University League Table 2018, 7th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2019. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

The University has been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, which recognises institutions that deliver consistently outstanding teaching that is of the highest quality found in the UK.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.